Abbey-Roads2

Seeking approval. 

Beginning in 5th grade, I used to volunteer every summer at the Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul, Minnesota.  One of the sisters from South America befriended me and took me under her wing.  Her name was Sr. Mercedes.  She had a very wry sense of humor and was quite funny.  Not everyone knew when she was joking, but I did since she always looked at me after saying something humorous, and she had this mischievous twinkle in her eye.  If I began to laugh, she would quickly place her finger to her lips to warn me not to give her away.

Many “pious’ ladies also volunteered at the Home.  (I love pious ladies so don’t get angry that I identify them as such.)  Some of the ladies were very impressed with the sisters, and despite their advanced age, they seemed to vie for the nun’s attention, as well as attempting to impress the sisters with their virtue and devotion.  (Perhaps as they may have acted with the school sisters when they were children.) 

It is not unusual for people to behave differently in front of religious.

One lady in particular seemed to corner Sr. Mercedes every time she was at the Home to volunteer.  The woman loved to discuss Fatima and talk about the sacrifices she made, and all the rosaries she prayed, as well as how she volunteered at the Cancer Home too.  Sometimes she would confide in Sr. Mercedes about fellow parishioners, friends, even priests who were not as enthusiastic about devotional matters as this lady was.   Not infrequently, that seemed to be Sister’s opportunity to duck out. 

Sr. Mercedes usually placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder and squeezed it gently, softly repeating,  “You veddy holy lady, veddy holy lady!”  Then she grabbed my hand and we went onto another project, that mischievous twinkle in her eye as we walked away.   I believe Sr. Mercedes was quite sincere in what she told the woman, since she once explained to me all of us are holy when we are in the state of grace.

That mischievous twinkle simply told me Sister had given the woman the approval and affirmation she had been craving - and the pious lady went away satisfied with Sr. Mercedes’ recognition.

Some bloggers can be like the “pious” woman.  A few may be like Sr. Mercedes, and some, like me, are easily amused.   So, lighten up - you are all veddy holy people.  ;) 

Oh, and the church-lady gossips.

“Oh my!  Did you see that?  Nancy Pelosi actually kissed the ring of the Holy Father when she was presented to him.”  “Not only that Mr. Aquinass, but she brazenly received Holy Communion at the Pope’s Mass!”  “So did John Kerry, Sr. Mary Pius!”  “I have never been so scandalized in my life.” 

So might have gone the dougnuts and coffee conversations in the Latin Mass church down the proverbial  block.  The pew-sitter’s magisterium hasn’t come down as hard as I thought they would on this scandal - or maybe I haven’t been reading the right blogs?  As it happened, I believe some people  would rather have had a huge brou-ha-ha on live television - creating an international incident - and perhaps even a greater scandal - than let people get by with what they did.  But was it such a scandal - or are many people just angry these folks exist?

Startling news.

Not every Catholic in the United States follows all the rules.  It has been that way for a very long time.  The errant politicians are not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dissident Catholics who perhaps revere the Holy Father but do not do as he says.  This is how people have been taught since the Council.  People do not change overnight.  Nor does everyone love the Latin Mass, and you can be sure of this, some Catholics even like liturgical dance, accompanied by that sort of contemporary music that makes some priests weep.  Sorry - no traditional triumphalism is possible yet.

I have to wonder if  ”Save the Liturgy, Save the World” folks understand that many Catholics who live in rural areas or small towns are just fortunate to have a regular Novus Ordo Mass on weekends?  Some of these people may have lived their entire lives without ever attending a Latin Mass; indeed,  they may die before one is ever celebrated in their parish church.  I think some people should tone down the rhetoric - at least give it a breather.

(Just something I’ve been wanting to mention.) 

His prayer after Communion.

At the Mass in Yankee stadium, the television camera remained a long time on the face of Pope Benedict while he made his thanksgiving after distributing Holy Communion.  The Holy Father’s eyes were open but  downcast, while he appeared to be completely recollected.  I was impressed that he seemed completely absorbed in prayer.  His demeanor  reminded me of St. Francis De Sales, who it is said, while deep in prayer, he simply looked down, his eyes downcast yet open, so as to avoid any ostentation of piety.

 With the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As I embrace the Sacred Heart of Jesus with all that I am - my utter nothingness - I beg you my Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name and through Mary, to pour His Divine Life, animated by His Holy Spirit, unceasingly into my memory, my understanding, and my will - my entire being.  With each beat of His Sacred Heart, grant that fresh torrents of His Life and Spirit may flood my faculties.  Through this Divine inundation, purify me from all human dross, so that animated only by Jesus and His Spirit, I will be transformed into His crucified likeness!  Grant that my memory retain at each moment only the knowledge of His will and His infinite love; my understanding be moved only by the Divine operations of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, fruits, and beatitudes… while my will be lost forever in the most intimate union with Divine Love Itself - my Triune God!   Amen.  - author unknown.